Rogers: Robson is ready to play for England

Australia Test opener Chris Rogers, who is captaining Middlesex currently, feels his former countryman Sam Robson is ready for the international stage with England after a string of good performances.

Australia Test opener Chris Rogers, who is captaining Middlesex currently, feels his former countryman Sam Robson is ready for the international stage with England after a string of good performances.

Australia-born Robson has been tipped as a front-runner to open the batting alongside Alastair Cook come the new Test season, and this week added to his credentials with a big century for Middlesex against Nottinghamshire.

Rogers said of his team-mate, after their side won by 10 wickets: "He doesn't have any weaknesses, at all. I think the thing he does well is he plays all-round the wicket, you know?

"I'm particularly happy for Robbo. I think he is showing everyone he's a class player. I'd be very disappointed if England didn't pick him. Robbo is ready."

The skipper was then asked about England fast bowler Steve Finn, who took nine wickets in the match after a tough period where he was sent home from the Ashes to work on his form and action. While he did well against Notts, there were still some rough and wayward spells.

Rogers said: "It's hard because I want to see Finny do well. But when you have such a period behind you when your confidence is shattered and you know you hit rock bottom almost, you need some time behind you with some consistent performances.

"If he went and played Test cricket right now he might easily do well. But, equally, if he bowled a bad spell the media and public will all put pressure on him and it may go the wrong way."

Finn's fellow paceman Tim Murtagh was also supportive, saying: "It was an issue that perhaps people in the press and more people were commenting on him. People saying he was hitting the side net and had forgotten how to bowl almost was a bit of rubbish, really.

"As you've seen from the first couple of games, he's not far away from where he would like to be. There are obviously still improvements that he's always wanting to make. It may well be a long term process, and he is still only 25 with a lot of time ahead of him."

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